Help picking Z4 - N52 or M54???

[Willbott]

Hello all,

First off, great forum, and great car!

I want to join in and I'm looking to get a Z4 soon. Have had several BMW's over the years, but this is my first Z4.

I've looked at lots of the threads on here and there are a few questions I'd love to clarify before I decided which Z4 to get. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm looking at a 3.0 of some sort - and it's the decision over which 3 litre to get that I really want to work out.

I'm looking at 2006-ish cars so some are N52 engined 3.0si post-facelift, others are M54 engined pre-face-lift.

I've read horror stories on here and other forums of N52 face-lift engines needing complete head re-builds due to the HVA tapping noise. On the other hand I've also read bad things about the VANOS on M54 engines. Help!

Given the choice, which should I go for, which will give me least trouble - N52 or M54? What are the real risks, or are these problems not too common in reality? The car will only be used on weekends and holidays - so wont do many miles.

Are there other reasons (non cosmetic) to pick the face lift model? Is it more reliable? Or should I not worry too much about pre or post facelift?

The next thing that is a little unclear having looked into it is the suspension on the 3 litre models? Some people say all the 3 litre cars (pre and post face lift) have the sports suspension as standard whether they're a "Sport" or "SE". Is this right?

I've read elsewhere that you could have standard suspension on the 3.0 SE. What's the score with this? I'd like the softest set-up possible.

Those are the two points I'm trying to get my head round most. Any advice on these engine and suspension choices would be fantastic. Not bothered on the looks side of things if I get a pre or post facelift, just want to get the most fun and reliable option.

Cheers!

Will.

PS and yes I'll post pics as soon as I get the thing!

 

[AlanJ]

1. Heres a link to the various specifications for the Zed.....
http://www.bmwz4roadster.net/
2. Theres a pre purchase check list link in my signature which may help during your search :|
3. Welcome to the Forum
4. Good luck in your search

 

[srhutch]

The HVA issue on the new N52 engines worries me, I had a complete new head assembly replaced under warranty costing £3,500. Unless the seller of car your looking at can prove this work has been carried out I think this issue needs to be factored in. If you are going to maintain a BMW warranty not so much of an issue.

Not sure on the pre facelift suspension side but can confirm no such thing as a pre facelift Sport model.

 

[m44rrt]

Wellcome Willbott

With regards to ride.
I bought my 2004 3.0 SE with a broken spring, 18 inch wheels and Runflats - but the miles and price were good
The ride was worse than a Morgan and the 'bag of spanners' noise on every pothole was a real fright
We have lots of potholes (still) where I live
Now it rides like a dream on 2 new springs, 17 inch wheels and non-runflat tyres

My advice is to buy from a forum member who has made the right improvements to the car rather than pot luck in autotrader

 

[chris]

Ive never heard any horror stories about the M54, i know some replace the seals for besian ones, but out of all the ones ive seen, and owned there has been little trouble. Main things are cam sensors and oil level sensors, which will be a problem on the N52 anyway (give it time :wink: ).

Personally i would go for the later N52, not because of the engine but the whole facelift design, so no rubbish orange lights, get a sport model and nicer seats, steering wheel etc etc. N52 sounds like a decent engine, but shame of the problems it has.

And im sure all the 3ltr's have sport suspension, as cant see any not having it. Main thing is thicker ARB's etc.

 

[aquazi]

As far as i am aware all pre 3.0 have sport suspension, but on a facelift ONLY the sport versions will. But then trying to find a facelift SE with sport seats and wheel will be pretty rare.

Cosmetic aside the facelift will also have better front brakes and more power.

 

[peddy]

Go for the facelift.If you don't mind me asking what is your budget? You may be able to afford an M as there isn't much of a price gap between the 3.0 and M recently.

 

[Willbott]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the great welcome and response to my questions. All very helpful, and very good of you to take the time to write.

Sorry if these questions seem a bit obvious. It's hard to tell on a short test drive if over time I'd end up wishing I had the N52 or whether the M54 engine will provide just as much fun . Also with the suspension it's almost impossible to do back to back comparisons.

So for peace of mind the M54 engine seems to be the way to go? It's a shame the N52 has this issue, as all the older BMW's I've had have been superb in the engine department. A surprise £3.5k bill is not what you want really. Shame.

Cool, well a pre-facelift 3.0 with 17" wheels and standard tyres seems to be the way forward. Can't wait to get one! Good thing is my other half loves Z4's too, so that's half the battle won if she actually like the thing!

Would love to hear any other thoughts on the N52 HVA issue if people have them as I'll keep an open mind on this. Wonder if there's a cheap, reliable fix anyone has come up with? MR VANSO seems a good bet for any VANOS issues. Likewise, if I find out any interesting info regarding this on my search for a Z4 I'll post it up here.

All the best, and thanks again for all the advice. Great forum.

Will

 

[powerontap]

welcome from Canada

 

[Willbott]

Cheers Powerontap! Hope all is good with you in Canada.

Paddy in answer to your question on budget, I'm going to see what I get for my 330d then raid the piggy bank! So not totally sure yet. I guess as with any car condition is king really, but I'd like something no older than my 330d, so 2005 2006 would be good, but if I see an 03 or 04 I like I guess there's no logical reason not to get it and save a few £££ for a rainy day! Driving fun and Performace are what I'm after. Sorry for the short post, writing this on my phone.

Will.

 

[Willbott]

PS that should have read Peddy not Paddy! Sorry Peddy, blooming predictive on the phone.

Regards

Will

 

[tomTVR]

From what i have read the M54 engines are far more reliable then N52. DISA (£150) and VANOS (a few hundred) are the only common ones which springs to mind. The M54 also sounds better.

BUT its not just the engines. The facelift (N52) cars also improve on other areas of unreliability. The early cars can have steering rack problems where they overheat and become stiff. Also the roof motors had the seals improved, they could get damp and fail. Both of these problems can be VERY expensive.

Dont forgot though that the M54 cars are far cheaper to buy, if you want piece of mind get a low mileage BMW AUC and extend the warranty in a years time when it runs out, they arent badly priced (so long as you dont drive an ///M!)

 

[srhutch]

From what i have read the M54 engines are far more reliable then N52. DISA (£150) and VANOS (a few hundred) are the only common ones which springs to mind. The M54 also sounds better.

BUT its not just the engines. The facelift (N52) cars also improve on other areas of unreliability. The early cars can have steering rack problems where they overheat and become stiff. Also the roof motors had the seals improved, they could get damp and fail. Both of these problems can be VERY expensive.

Dont forgot though that the M54 cars are far cheaper to buy, if you want piece of mind get a low mileage BMW AUC and extend the warranty in a years time when it runs out, they arent badly priced (so long as you dont drive an ///M!)

What are the other issues on the N52 engine? I know they are not a DIY engine but i haven't come across any other reliability issues.

 

[Willbott]

Great advice Tom. Cheers for that. It's really useful getting these tips.

I normally try and buy the facelift version of any car I get as these sort of issues normally have been sorted. I read so many things about N52s having issues that I began to think I might be better off with an M54.

In your opinion is there much real world performance gap between the two? Or is it more academic? I like cars that sound good.

Thanks again

Will

 

[Sticks]

Sport suspension - stiffer springs and 15mm lower ride was standard on the pre facelift 3.0.

17s were standard but most have 18s - don't they? I find the ride acceptable with 18s & non rfts despite a dodgy back though as a daiy driver over pot-holed roads would prob be too much. Sports seats or SE? I wish I'd got sports, for more lateral support, though not everyone prefers them. Try as many as you can I guess. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[tomTVR]

I havent driven the 3.0si (N52), i'm sure someone will be able to tell you the difference. However i cant see an extra 30bhp taking it into to another level. Each has its plus points, as said the M54 sounds better but the N52 is more economical.

With regards to looks i would say the Z4 is one of those rare cars where the facelift model isn't necessarily the better looking one. The common consensus is that the the earlier rear lights are much better and i personally prefer the front bumper too. The later cars get smoked indicators which looks better, and a chunky //M steering wheel.

 

[Willbott]

Thanks Sticks. Great insight, it's good to hear that you find the ride OK on 18s as 17s seem hard to come by and look a little small.

I'll try and give as many combos a test as possible. All of your advice is great though as I don't have much spare time for loads of test drives so need to narrow my options down.

Thanks again sticks, and love to hear any other thoughts on ride quality. Are there good spring/damper after Market changes that provide better ride comfort? Also interested in other facelift or not to facelift thoughts.

Cheers

Will

 

[chris]

Have to agree with the rear lights and the bumper. When I first hot mine I really wanted the facelift front bumper, but when I saw it I really was not impressed, as it's quite square in places. Still look good, but the clear lights are the main thing for me. And get a sport with all the extra bits and they are nicer interior options! STD seats are poo, but I have not got that problem anymore lol

Plus a remap will see the m54 engine give more mpg and a lot more power lower down the rev range. Although the same probably can be said for the N52 as well.

Only reason I did not get a facelift was I could not afford one ha! Well not a low milage decent spec one, but more than happy with mine, and only 36k now ;.)

 

[chris]

Ride quality is poor, well sporty as jeramy clarkson put it lol. But it handles very well, and I'm used to the bumps as always had coilovers.

 

[Willbott]

Thanks Tom. I'm now leaning in the direction of a pre Face lift car. The sound and reliability appeal, as do the looks.

Were there any changes/ improvements to these M54 pre face lift cars I should watch out for? You know, is an 05 plate going to have improvements over an 03? Or were there no improvements until the face lift?

Cheers Tom.

Will.

PS. Sorry for any typos. Having to use my phone.

PS sorry for any typos. Have to use my phone.